Update: As of April 24, Donald Trump said he could re-impose “reciprocal” tariffs on certain countries within two to three weeks, signaling a potential escalation in global trade tensions. Trump tariffs have created unprecedented challenges for small businesses across America, particularly for women-led companies that operate with thinner margins and less access to capital reserves.
This hits close to home for me too. I talked to a few founders in the past few months who were excited about their launch plans and now decided to put all marketing campaigns and projects on pause. Some workers from agencies in my industry are already closing down, and my heart breaks for them in this really chaotic time.
I want small businesses to rise together. If there is one thing I’ve learned about working with women founders for 14 years, is that we thrive when we share resources, strategies, and support during challenging times.
Small Businesses Standing Together Against Trump Tariffs
I encourage you to read “A Letter to Trump from Female Founders” and share it with your network and local elected representatives. This letter explains how tariffs pose a disproportionate threat to small businesses like ours. By amplifying these perspectives across your networks, you contribute to a more nuanced public conversation about tariff impacts on American small businesses.
Maintaining Perspective Through Tariff Challenges
Consider using this moment to strengthen customer relationships by communicating openly about tariff impacts. A simple video explaining how tariffs affect your products can turn necessary price increases into opportunities for authentic customer connection.
I know it can be hard to show vulnerability. However, small businesses have found that their customers appreciate this transparency and respond with increased loyalty, strengthening the business-customer relationship.
Diversify Your Product Mix to Counter Trump Tariffs
Rather than completely overhauling your business model, strategic diversification can help offset increased costs while opening new revenue streams. Consider expanding your business in these targeted areas:
Digital Products: Shifting some of your focus to digital offerings provides multiple advantages during tariff uncertainty.
Bundled Service Packages: Service components—whether consulting, customization, or implementation support—add significant value for customers without adding tariff-affected costs for your business.
Subscription Models: Converting one-time purchasers to subscribers not only smooths your cash flow but also builds stronger customer relationships that can withstand necessary price adjustments.
Why Website Conversion Is Critical During China Tariffs
When Trump tariffs squeeze margins, maximizing the value of existing website traffic becomes increasingly important. Every visitor to your site represents potential revenue that could offset tariff-related cost increases.
For small businesses navigating tariff pressures, examining your digital customer journey reveals opportunities for improvement. Even modest conversion rate increases can significantly impact your bottom line during this challenging period.
Small Steps Lead to Significant Results
We’ve created specific resources to help you take small but impactful steps:
Website Conversion Checklist
Our free audit tool comes in Google Doc format with comprehensive, structured checklists to measure your website’s 5 key areas that impact user experience and sales. Download our Website Conversion Checklist.
Funding Options for Women Entrepreneurs
Access a compilation of funding sources particularly valuable for women-led businesses navigating tariff challenges. These are the same resources that helped us build our business. Read more: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.
$1000 Marketing Guide
Given tighter budgets due to tariffs, our comprehensive guide helps you optimize your approach with smaller yet more efficient marketing strategies. This resource shows exactly how to maximize impact when every dollar counts: Learn more about our 1000Guide.
These targeted resources reflect insights gained from working with over 250 founders who have successfully adapted to various market disruptions since 2011, and represent our commitment to being part of the solution during these uncertain times.
More Resources
I’ve also gathered some of the most insightful articles on navigating tariff impacts for small businesses and am sharing them here to help you make informed decisions during this challenging time:
- Small Business FAQ: What You Need to Know About Tariffs (U.S Chamber of Commerce)
- The Undeniable Offer: How to Create Premium Offers That Sell in Any Economy (Entreprenista)
- How To Manage Price Increases During The Tariff Crisis (Forbes)
Building Digital Resilience Against Trump Tariff Impacts
As small businesses continue navigating Trump tariffs’, digital optimization creates both immediate relief and long-term strength. By prioritizing these basics now, you’re not just reacting to tariff challenges but fortifying your business for whatever lies ahead.
Do you have suggestions for additional resources or strategies to navigate the Trump tariffs? Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn to share your insights and collaborate.
Ari Krzyzek is the co-founder of Chykalophia, a WBENC-certified woman minority-owned branding and web development agency that has helped more than 250 founders launch and scale to 6-7 figures since 2011.
